Solar - accessories direct, plus engine battery charging? (1 Viewer)

[Barclaybasher]

Just bought a 100w solar panel kit, never fitted or used one before.

The controller comes with two charging connections - one for leisure battery and one for engine battery.

I was thinking of wiring the engine battery one to a combined USB and 12v socket to power stuff straight off the solar and running fused cables to the engine battery with a plug to plug into the socket when I wanted to charge the engine battery.

Can anyone see a problem?

Thanks

 

[chaser]

Just bought a 100w solar panel kit, never fitted or used one before.

The controller comes with two charging connections - one for leisure battery and one for engine battery.

I was thinking of wiring the engine battery one to a combined USB and 12v socket to power stuff straight off the solar and running fused cables to the engine battery with a plug to plug into the socket when I wanted to charge the engine battery.

Can anyone see a problem?

Thanks

Can see one, if you have got something plugged in and the sun goes in, is it going to drain your battery backwards?

 

[andy63]

Hi vic.. you are gradually moving with the times I see..
If your controller has a load terminal /output on it then thats the outlet to use for supplying normal loads..
Using one of the battery charging outlets is possibly not a good idea.. though I've never tried it... it may not supply anything at times depending on how the charging of the batteries is prioritised. .
Andy.

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[andy63]

Vic I gave that a little more thought... can't help myself lol..
As I said I've never tried anything like that but the charging outlets are designed to have a battery connected and see a voltage present so the controller knows what current it can supply within its panels range... so connecting a normal load most probably wouldn't work or may even damage it..
And pwm and mppt controllers work differently in the way they connect to a battery which might would require more thought...
Andy.

 

[Barclaybasher]

Hi vic.. you are gradually moving with the times I see..
If your controller has a load terminal /output on it then thats the outlet to use for supplying normal loads..
Using one of the battery charging outlets is possibly not a good idea.. though I've never tried it... it may not supply anything at times depending on how the charging of the batteries is prioritised. .
Andy.

Andy, I am trying......was just going to connect with clamps and swap from battery to battery

Not got the kit yet but the pic of the controller only shows 2 separate battery charging terminals, no load terminal

 

[funflair]

Sounds to me like you will have a "live" 12 volt plug on a lead. I would just wire it as per the instructions to leisure and starter battery, if you want to leave something powered up but low voltage protected use the "load" if it has one.

Martin

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[Barclaybasher]

Sounds to me like you will have a "live" 12 volt plug on a lead

Never thought of that

 

[andy63]

Most controllers have a load terminal that connects to the battery...
It allows loads to run through the night when the panel isn't producing..
If that's the way you want to go then I'd get a controller with a load output..
If you want your start battery looking after get a little device like a battery master to keep it trickle charged..
That would be my suggestion. .
Andy.

 

[Barclaybasher]

Most controllers have a load terminal that connects to the battery...
It allows loads to run through the night when the panel isn't producing..
If that's the way you want to go then I'd get a controller with a load output..
If you want your start battery looking after get a little device like a battery master to keep it trickle charged..
That would be my suggestion. .
Andy.

I think I'll wait til I get the kit and read the instructions..........

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[andy63]

I think I'll wait til I get the kit and read the instructions..........

Vic I've just remembered.. I did a little job for carol @Cal54 recently and salvaged a little 10 amp controller.. which you can have.. I know she would be happy to see it find a good home lol..
It's a 10 amp so more than suitable for a 100w panel
You would only need a panel..
Let me know and pm me your address...if you would like it..
Andy.

 

[Barclaybasher]

Vic I've just remembered.. I did a little job for carol @Cal54 recently and salvaged a little 10 amp controller.. which you can have.. I know she would be happy to see it find a good home lol..
It's a 10 amp so more than suitable for a 100w panel
You would only need a panel..
Let me know and pm me your address...if you would like it..
Andy.
View attachment 171667

Cheers Andy - I rushed into buying the kit - looks fine but the controller maybe not so - 'on-line-store 111'

 

[andy63]

Well you know where to come if you decide you need a different controller

Andy..

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[Stealaway]

I would be worried about the amount of current (A) the socket/plug could handle.
What's wrong with wiring two 4mm leads to the starter battery (giving you more than enough charging capacity) and wiring the socket to the starter battery? Same thing just reversed ---- conventional and safer!